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South American Health Ministers Gather In Argentina To Discuss H1N1 Preparedness
The health ministers of six South American countries gathered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday to "coordinate defenses against" the H1N1 (swine flu) virus which has killed nearly 200 people in the region," the AFP/Google.com reports. Ministers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay used the meeting to voice concern over the rapid spread of the H1N1 virus in their countries, which are now in the southern hemisphere"s winter months, and discuss ways to share supplies to help prevent the spread of the virus. The article includes the individual strategies being taken by some South American countries (7/15).

We Must Lead The NHS Through "dark And Dangerous Period", Says British Medical Association Consultant Chairman
The health service is entering a "dark and dangerous period" because of the economic crisis, the Chairman of the BMA"s Consultants Committee warned in a speech. Arguing that public money must not be diverted away from patient care into "the pockets of shareholders", Dr Jonathan Fielden called for private management consultants to be "ditched" from the NHS.
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Why Some Severely Obese Patients Overeat Could Be Due To Physiological Response
Don"t feel like you are getting full when eating a large meal? New research from The Miriam Hospital suggests that a physiological response may partially explain why severely obese individuals may not feel satisfied after eating and often have difficulty controlling the amount of food they consume during a meal.
Medical Devices

What Is Tinnitus? What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus (from the Latin tinnitus or "ringing") is a condition characterized by ringing, swishing, or other noises that appear to be originating in the ear or head. Not normally a dangerous or serious problem, tinnitus is usually a symptom of some other underlying condition and most often considered a nuisance. Age-related hearing loss, ear injury, foreign objects in the ear, and circulatory system problems, for example, may cause the condition. Tinnitus may be subjective or objective. In subjective tinnitus, only the patient can hear the noises. In objective tinnitus, a physician may hear the noise while doing an examination. Tinnitus tends to improve with direct treatment or treatment of an underlying cause. Though it rarely progresses into a serious problem, the condition is linked to fatigue, stress, sleep problems, concentration difficulty, memory problems, depression, anxiety and irritability. Who gets tinnitus? Ear / Nose / Throat News For the latest news and research on Ear / Nose / Throat, and to sign up to newsletters or news alerts, please visit our: Ear / Nose / Throat News Section. Although anyone can get tinnitus, some people are more likely to develop the condition. This includes men, white people, older adults (over the age of 65), and those with age-related hearing loss. In addition, people who have been exposed to loud noises for extended periods of time and those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known to have higher rates of tinnitus. What causes tinnitus? Tinnitus is a symptom of a variety of health conditions, blood vessel disorders, and effects from medications. The most common causes of tinnitus are age-related hearing loss, exposure to loud noises, earwax blockage in the ear canal, and abnormal bone growth in the ear. Less common causes include an inner ear disorder called Meniere"s disease, stress and depression, head or neck injuries, and a benign tumor of the cranial nerve called acoustic neuroma. Blood vessel disorders that cause tinnitus include head and neck tumors, atherosclerosis (buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessels), high blood pressure, turbulent blood flow, and a malformation of capillaries. Medications known to cause tinnitus include antibiotics, cancer treatments, diuretics, quinine and chloroquine for malaria, and aspirin. What are the symptoms of tinnitus? Symptoms of tinnitus include hearing sounds when no external sound is present. The ears may sense ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, whistling, hissing, or squealing. Noises may appear low or high in pitch and may interfere with a person"s ability to concentrate. How is tinnitus diagnosed? To diagnose tinnitus, physicians will request a medical history, conduct a physical examination, and present a series of special tests. A doctor will check for ear wax, foreign objects, or hair that may be rubbing against the eardrum. It is important to let the physician know if the noises are constant, intermittent, or pulsating and if you suffer from age-related hearing loss or vertigo. Tests such as an audiogram (hearing test), auditory brain stem response (ABR), computerized tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be used to find potential causes of tinnitus or to locate tumors. How is tinnitus treated? If an underlying cause of the tinnitus is found, a doctor will treat that condition and the tinnitus usually subsides. This may include removing earwax, treating blood vessel conditions, or changing medication regimens. In many cases, however, the underlying cause cannot be identified. There is no specific treatment for tinnitus, but a doctor may suggest other methods of suppressing the sound. White noise machines, hearing aids, and masking devices, may be offered because of their ability to suppress sounds, making the tinnitus less annoying. Although drugs cannot cure tinnitus, some such as tricyclic antidepressants, alprazolam, and acamprosate may reduce the severity of symptoms. How can tinnitus be prevented? Some types of tinnitus may be avoided by following preventive measures. For example, it is not recommended to use cotton swabs to clean the ears (it pushes wax against the ear drum). In addition, tinnitus can be prevented by wearing ear plugs at work (if there is excessive noise), at rock concerts, at sporting events, and while hunting, using a lawnmower, and blow drying hair. Maintaining good cardiovascular health by exercising regularly may reduce the chances of developing tinnitus linked to blood vessel disorders. Written by Peter Crosta M.A. Copyright: Medical News Today Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today


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